Editor’s note: The reaction to columnist James E. Causey’s tribute to his late mom on Mother’s Day was overwhelming. Causey estimates he received more than 40 text messages, more than 100 emails and dozens of phone calls after writing about the pain, and love, he feels, years after the loss of “Mama Causey.” Below is a quick sampling of some of the short responses followed by a few longer letters:
I was touched by your story on May 10. Your mother sounds like she was an awesome woman and human being. I feel that way about my mother who has been gone 3-1/2 years. Always in my heart. She would be very proud of your words and talent to write in a way that touches others. ― Maryrose
Always enjoy you columns. But especially enjoyed your Mothers Day column. Your mom was a special woman. Thanks for sharing her with all your readers. ― Phil
I read your Sunday column and wanted to let you know that I enjoyed it very much. The love and care you had for your mother was present in every line. ― Judith
I’ve enjoyed and also been stimulated by your articles in the Journal Sentinel. Yet am ashamed that I have taken your work for granted and never thanked you for your journalism. Your tribute to your mother nudged me on to let you know that your writing is appreciated. Please know you are impacting your readers. Keep up the good work. ― Donna
Your beautiful story brings tears and smiles to me. Love and loss are intertwined. Thank you for sharing the story of James and Otha, and Reverend Tobias bringing them together. I read your column as often as I can, and I’ve been enlightened and saddened on more than one occasion. ― Luci
You are absolutely the best writer in the whole Milwaukee/Journal team. I always read your stories first and love your talent for words. I live in Kiel, 60 miles from Milwaukee, but feel like you are my neighbor. Wish you were. What a tribute to your mother, but also to your skill in telling the hardest stories and yet instilling hope in them. Keep up the good work, and if you ever get to Kiel, I’d love to meet you. ― Mary Ann
Thank you James for the beautiful story of your mom. I lost mine on May 3, 2013. She was 79. I loved your description of your mom’s sense of humor, oftentimes they are the people we are drawn to the most. You do your parents proud, I truly wish society cared just a bit more about older people. Maybe your words will help move us in that direction. ― Roger
It brought tears to my eyes thinking about my wonderful mom
I enjoyed reading about your amazing mom. It brought tears to my eyes as I thought about my wonderful mom, Eleanor, who had a twin sister, although they couldn’t look more different if you tried. They each married Bretzman brothers.
My mom never learned to drive so once I got my driver’s license I would have to drive her to the grocery store. She could never find my car when she came out and once got into the wrong car by mistake and was horribly embarrassed when the owner opened his car door to see her sitting there. After that I put a small plastic pineapple on the antennae of my ’64 Chevy so she could find me when she came out of the store.
She often murdered the English language. Once after her first visit to the remodeled Jewel food store in Kankakee, Illinois, she came to the car in a huff. I asked her what was wrong. She replied, “Now they make you start by going down a long aisle with all these genetic foods.”
Mom had $50 per week to feed all 6 of us and she always figured out how to make delicious meals on that meager budget. Her recipes which I pulled from her memory because she never wrote them down are still my favorite comfort foods today.
My mom had diabetes and a number of health issues when she passed away at age 68. Her twin sister, Lorraine is 96 years old and still going strong. Whenever I call aunt Lorraine she always ends our conversation with, “I love you honey,” which is exactly what my mom would always say.
I’m so glad that we both are able to have such wonderful memories of the awesome moms who made us what we are today. ― Floyd
Your parents would be proud for using your platform for good
I am absolutely sure that your mother and father (from above) would love to see you do good for the community. To use your platform as other leaders with platforms have in the past: for good; to raise awareness and ask for help from the community; to make things better. Things like less gunplay, less reckless driving, less littering, less violence, less thefts, being better parents, being kinder to all people, and to always be honest.
I am sure that they would beam knowing you were helping to tackle some of the more touchy subjects that a lot of journalists are afraid to present. You were blessed with the platform. Let’s see if you can help the world and make your parents proud of you. ― Charles
Your column brought the best of Milwaukee home to me
Greetings from LoneTree, Colorado. Your article today brought peace to my heart and a tear to my eye. So beautiful! So honest! So appropriate!
I’m a Milwaukee native who moved to Colorado at age 24 in 1984 in search of a better life. I never realized how much I would miss at home when I left as a young man. Your article brought home what I did miss. You sound like an incredible man and son. I tip my hat to you sir. May God bless you, your parents, and everyone in your life. ― Bill
I’ve learned that when the grief hits, you ride the wave
I so loved your article today, about your mom, and could so well identify with what you’ve been through. I lost my dad 49 years ago at age 68. I was 22. My mother lived to be almost 95, missing her 95th birthday by 17 days. I lost my only sister, my only sibling, in 2019. My mother was also a woman of great faith. My parents and my sister came to this country in 1949 from Germany. My mother was quite a trailblazer, opening a small German restaurant in 1960, on 78th and Appleton, which she owned until 1968. My father worked as a tool-and-dye operator at a small company on 38th and Fond du Lac. They, too, survived the Second World War, having lost everything.
I had to smile when you talked about how great a cook your mom was! My mom was a fantastic cook of all the southern German comfort food. Hers was the best German restaurant in the city and the least known.
I’ve learned that when the grief hits, whether for mom, dad, my sister, I ride the wave. And you are so right, you never really get over it; it gets managed. Thank you for all the happy thoughts that your article created. Wishing you the best, thank you for all that you do. ― Marika
Keep up the profound journalism needed in this day and age
Hi, Mr. Causey. I read your articles in the paper all the time. At times, I don’t agree with some of your sentiments, but today, your article was very touching. My parents are gone, and I took your words to heart. Beautiful and so thoughtful. I hope many people read it.
Your mom impressed me! Keep up the profound journalism. Articles like this are needed in this day and age. ― Sharon
My parents didn’t believe in coddling either
As a retired teacher with the Glendale-River Hills School District, I always make a point to read your columns. Your Mother’s Day reflections were spot on and very relatable. My parents did not believe in coddling either and knew when corrections were needed.
I still substitute teach in the North Shore and just sense that this type of parenting is not as prevalent as it once was. The behaviors that I see truly frighten me. The reason that I still go into sub is to support my former colleagues, as good subs are scarce. Keep up the great work at “The Journal.” ― Annie
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Tribute to lost parent inspires others to share joy and pain | Opinion
Reporting by Letters to the Editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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